Chris Volstad
Encyclopedia
Christopher Kenneth Volstad (born September 23, 1986 in Palm Beach Gardens
, Florida
) is a right-handed pitcher
for the Miami Marlins. He is 6 foot 8 inches and 225 pounds, and is a 2005 graduate of Palm Beach Gardens High School
.
Volstad was drafted with the 16th pick in the Major League Baseball Draft, the first of three first round picks for the Marlins that year.
in 65 IP) between the GCL Marlins and Jamestown Jammers
of the New York – Penn League (Short season A
) with a 2.22 ERA
.
Volstad never returned to Jamestown, instead starting out with the Greensboro Grasshoppers
of the South Atlantic League
(Class A). He went 11-8 over 26 starts with a 3.08 ERA. He was named the Marlins' #1 prospect in Baseball America
's annual rankings.
Volstad started his second full pro season with the Jupiter Hammerheads
of the Florida State League
(Class A-Advanced). He struggled somewhat compared to his first season and a half, going 8-9 in 21 games (20 starts) with a 4.50 ERA. However, in later action with Florida's AA affiliate, the Carolina Mudcats
of the Southern League
, he improved to a 4-2 record and a 3.16 ERA.
In 2008, Volstad continued at Carolina, posting a 4-4 record, 3.36 ERA in 15 starts before being promoted to the major leagues.
, earning the win with 2 scoreless innings from the bullpen.
On July 11, 2008 Volstad started his first major league game against the Los Angeles Dodgers
, earning the win and baffling the Dodger hitters with a 94 mph fastball and sharp 12-6 curveball. Volstad pitched 8⅔ innings, and gave up 1 run on 5 hits, striking out 6. Volstad added his first major league hit in this game: a single off the Dodgers starter Eric Stults
.
On August 7, 2008, Volstad delivered a masterful performance against the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies
to reduce their lead in the division to 1½ games. He pitched 6 innings of shutout baseball, outdueling Cole Hamels
of the Phillies.
On July 9, 2009, Volstad pitched what many could argue as the best game of his career. Against the San Francisco Giants
, he pitched his first career complete game allowing only five hits and no runs. His win helped the Marlins avoid a sweep in San Francisco.
In late August 2009 he was sent to the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs
after a 1⅔ inning start against the San Diego Padres
.
In September 2010, Volstad was involved in a bench clearing brawl against the Washington Nationals
. In the day's previous game, the Nationals' Nyjer Morgan
intentionally ran into Marlins' catcher Brett Hayes
on a play at home plate where Morgan was called out. Hayes separated his shoulder and it was determined later that night that he would miss the remainder of the season. In Morgan's first at-bat, Volstad threw at Morgan, hitting him. Morgan proceeded to steal two bases when the Marlins had an almost double digit lead, breaking an unwritten rule of ethics in the game. Offended by Morgan once again, Volstad threw another pitch at Morgan in his next at-bat, with it going behind Morgan's back. Morgan quickly charged the mound, despite the fact that Volstad stood nearly a foot taller than him. Morgan's punch at Volstad missed, and Morgan was promptly clotheslined by Marlins' first baseman Gaby Sanchez
, resulting in the bench clearing brawl. Volstad was suspended for 6 games because of the incident.
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Palm Beach Gardens is a city in Palm Beach County in the U.S. state of Florida. The city is in the center of a rapidly-developing area north of West Palm Beach in the northern part of the county and the South Florida metropolitan area. , the population was 48,452...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
) is a right-handed pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Miami Marlins. He is 6 foot 8 inches and 225 pounds, and is a 2005 graduate of Palm Beach Gardens High School
Palm Beach Gardens Community High School
Palm Beach Gardens Community High School is a public magnet high school for grades 9-12 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The school mascot is the Gator. It is well known for its athletics and medical magnet program. It was built in 1969 as a public high school...
.
Volstad was drafted with the 16th pick in the Major League Baseball Draft, the first of three first round picks for the Marlins that year.
High school career
Volstad graduated from Palm Beach Gardens (FL) High School in 2005, going 7-2 with one save and 0.41 ERA in 10 games as a senior, striking out 98 batters and walking just eight in 69.0 innings. He led his team deep into the regional playoffs, coming up one game short of States.Minor league career
In his first season of professional baseball, Volstad went 4-3 in 13 starts (with 55 K'sStrike Out
Strike Out, , North American Harness racing championStrike Out was born in 1969 at Castleton Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, and is by Bret Hanover out of the mare Golden Miss....
in 65 IP) between the GCL Marlins and Jamestown Jammers
Jamestown Jammers
The Jamestown Jammers are a minor league baseball team in Jamestown, New York, United States. The team is the Short-Season A classification affiliate of the Miami Marlins and plays in the New York - Penn League...
of the New York – Penn League (Short season A
Short season
Short season refers to a form of class A minor league baseball in which only about 75 games are played each season, as opposed to the typical 140 games for an affiliated minor league team at a higher level...
) with a 2.22 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
.
Volstad never returned to Jamestown, instead starting out with the Greensboro Grasshoppers
Greensboro Grasshoppers
The Greensboro Grasshoppers are a minor league baseball team in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA...
of the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
(Class A). He went 11-8 over 26 starts with a 3.08 ERA. He was named the Marlins' #1 prospect in Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
's annual rankings.
Volstad started his second full pro season with the Jupiter Hammerheads
Jupiter Hammerheads
The Jupiter Hammerheads are a minor league baseball team based in Jupiter, Florida, named for the hammerhead shark.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Miami Marlins major-league club....
of the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
(Class A-Advanced). He struggled somewhat compared to his first season and a half, going 8-9 in 21 games (20 starts) with a 4.50 ERA. However, in later action with Florida's AA affiliate, the Carolina Mudcats
Carolina Mudcats
The Carolina Mudcats are a minor league baseball team based in the eastern suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the Carolina League, are the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians major-league club beginning in 2012.-History:...
of the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
, he improved to a 4-2 record and a 3.16 ERA.
In 2008, Volstad continued at Carolina, posting a 4-4 record, 3.36 ERA in 15 starts before being promoted to the major leagues.
Major league career
On July 6, 2008, the Marlins purchased Volstad's contract and added him to the active roster. He made his major league debut the same day in a game against the Colorado RockiesColorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
, earning the win with 2 scoreless innings from the bullpen.
On July 11, 2008 Volstad started his first major league game against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, earning the win and baffling the Dodger hitters with a 94 mph fastball and sharp 12-6 curveball. Volstad pitched 8⅔ innings, and gave up 1 run on 5 hits, striking out 6. Volstad added his first major league hit in this game: a single off the Dodgers starter Eric Stults
Eric Stults
Eric William Stults is an American professional baseball pitcher. Stults played in college for NAIA Bethel College...
.
On August 7, 2008, Volstad delivered a masterful performance against the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
to reduce their lead in the division to 1½ games. He pitched 6 innings of shutout baseball, outdueling Cole Hamels
Cole Hamels
Colbert Michael "Cole" Hamels is a left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Hamels throws a four-seam fastball, a circle changeup, a curveball, and a cut fastball, which he added in 2010...
of the Phillies.
On July 9, 2009, Volstad pitched what many could argue as the best game of his career. Against the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, he pitched his first career complete game allowing only five hits and no runs. His win helped the Marlins avoid a sweep in San Francisco.
In late August 2009 he was sent to the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs
New Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
after a 1⅔ inning start against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
.
In September 2010, Volstad was involved in a bench clearing brawl against the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. In the day's previous game, the Nationals' Nyjer Morgan
Nyjer Morgan
Nyjer Jamid Morgan nicknamed Tony Plush is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers....
intentionally ran into Marlins' catcher Brett Hayes
Brett Hayes
Brett Gregory Hayes is a professional baseball catcher for the Miami Marlins.-Personal:...
on a play at home plate where Morgan was called out. Hayes separated his shoulder and it was determined later that night that he would miss the remainder of the season. In Morgan's first at-bat, Volstad threw at Morgan, hitting him. Morgan proceeded to steal two bases when the Marlins had an almost double digit lead, breaking an unwritten rule of ethics in the game. Offended by Morgan once again, Volstad threw another pitch at Morgan in his next at-bat, with it going behind Morgan's back. Morgan quickly charged the mound, despite the fact that Volstad stood nearly a foot taller than him. Morgan's punch at Volstad missed, and Morgan was promptly clotheslined by Marlins' first baseman Gaby Sanchez
Gaby Sanchez
Gabriel "Gaby" Sanchez is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Miami Marlins. He bats and throws right-handed...
, resulting in the bench clearing brawl. Volstad was suspended for 6 games because of the incident.